U.S. patent number 5,673,811 [Application Number 08/610,748] was granted by the patent office on 1997-10-07 for food bin assembly.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Contico International, Inc.. Invention is credited to Thomas Dickinson, Martin Shawn Egan, Bradley D. Gale.
United States Patent |
5,673,811 |
Dickinson , et al. |
October 7, 1997 |
Food bin assembly
Abstract
A food bin assembly comprising a bin, a rear lid member, and a
front lid member. The bin has a bottom and a plurality of walls
extending up from the bottom. The walls have upper ends defining a
bin opening. One of the walls is a first side wall and another of
the walls is a second side wall opposite the first side wall. The
rear lid member is configured for covering a rear portion of the
bin opening. The front lid member is configured for covering a
forward portion of the bin opening. The front lid member is
slidably connected to the first and second side walls of the bin
for longitudinal sliding movement of the front lid member relative
to the bin between a forward position in which the front lid member
is positioned over the forward portion of the bin opening and a
rearward position in which the front lid member is positioned over
the rear portion of the bin opening. The front lid member is also
pivotally connected to the first and second side walls of the bin
for pivotal movement of the front lid member between a lowered
position in which it covers the forward portion of the bin opening
and a raised position in which it extends upwardly from the side
walls to provide access to the forward portion of the bin
opening.
Inventors: |
Dickinson; Thomas (St. Louis,
MO), Gale; Bradley D. (St. Louis, MO), Egan; Martin
Shawn (Ballwin, MO) |
Assignee: |
Contico International, Inc.
(St. Louis, MO)
|
Family
ID: |
24446271 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/610,748 |
Filed: |
March 4, 1996 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/812;
220/345.4; 220/351; 220/659; 220/815; 220/832 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
43/02 (20130101); B65D 43/164 (20130101); B65D
43/20 (20130101); B65D 2543/00194 (20130101); B65D
2543/00296 (20130101); B65D 2543/00388 (20130101); B65D
2543/00527 (20130101); B65D 2543/00537 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
43/02 (20060101); B65D 43/16 (20060101); B65D
43/14 (20060101); B65D 43/20 (20060101); B65D
051/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;220/331,335,337,345,346,351,657,659 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1188323 |
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Sep 1959 |
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FR |
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1401306 |
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Apr 1965 |
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FR |
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341458 |
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Nov 1959 |
|
CH |
|
1219456 |
|
Jan 1971 |
|
GB |
|
2118529 |
|
Apr 1992 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Cronin; Stephen
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Howell & Haferkamp, L.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A food bin assembly comprising:
a bin having a bottom, and a plurality of walls extending up from
the bottom and having upper ends defining a bin opening, one of the
walls being a first side wall and another of the walls being a
second side wall opposite the first side wall;
a rear lid member configured for covering a rear portion of the bin
opening; and
a front lid member configured for covering a forward portion of the
bin opening;
the front lid member being slidably connected to the first and
second side walls of the bin for longitudinal sliding movement of
the front lid member relative to the bin between a forward position
in which the front lid member is positioned over the forward
portion of the bin opening and a rearward position in which the
front lid member is positioned over the rear portion of the bin
opening, the front lid member further being pivotally connected to
the first and second side walls of the bin for pivotal movement of
the front lid member between a lowered position in which it covers
the forward portion of the bin opening and a raised position in
which it extends-upwardly from the side walls to provide access to
the forward portion of the bin opening.
2. A food bin assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bin and
lid members are configured such that the front lid member is
positioned under the rear lid member when the front lid member is
in its rearward position.
3. A food bin assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one
of the first and second side walls of the bin are configured for
releasably locking the lid in its raised position.
4. A food bin assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the front
lid portion has a generally arcuate shape in longitudinal
cross-section.
5. A food bin assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein the rear lid
portion has a generally arcuate shape in longitudinal
cross-section.
6. A food bin assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first
and second side walls have upper edge margins which are generally
parallel to one another and wherein the front lid member has a rim
extending generally downwardly when the front lid member is in its
forward position, the rim of the front lid member having rim side
portions positioned adjacent to and laterally outward of the upper
edge margins of the first and second side walls when the front lid
member is in its forward position.
7. A food bin assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein the upper
edge margins of the first and second side walls are configured for
limiting lateral movement of the front lid member and for guiding
the front lid member between its forward and rearward
positions.
8. A food bin assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein the rim side
portions have rear ends slidably engageable with the upper edge
margins of the first and second side walls of the bin as the front
lid member is moved between its forward and rearward positions.
9. A food bin assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein one of said
plurality of walls of the bin further includes a front wall, the
front wall having an upper edge margin extending laterally from the
upper edge margin of the first side wall to the upper edge margin
of the second side wall, and wherein the rim of the front lid
member further includes a rim front portion extending generally
between the rim side portions, said rim front portion being
positioned adjacent to and forward of the upper edge margin of the
front wall of the bin when the front lid member is in its forward
position.
10. A food bin assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein the rim
front portion of the front lid member is configured for slidably
engaging the upper edge margins of the side walls of the bin as the
front lid member is moved between its forward and rearward
positions.
11. A food bin assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bin is
a single unitary piece and wherein the front lid member is a single
unitary piece.
12. A food bin assembly comprising:
a bin having a bottom, and a plurality of walls extending up from
the bottom and having upper ends defining a bin opening, one of the
walls being a first side wall and another of the walls being a
second side wall opposite the first side wall;
a rear lid member configured for covering a rear portion of the bin
opening; and
a front lid member configured for covering a forward portion of the
bin opening;
the front lid member being slidably connected to the first and
second side walls of the bin for longitudinal sliding movement of
the front lid member on the first and second side walls of the bin
between a forward position in which the front lid member is
positioned over the forward portion of the bin opening and a
rearward position in which the front lid member is positioned over
the rear portion of the bin opening, the front lid member further
being pivotally connected to the first and second side walls of the
bin for pivotal movement of the front lid member between a lowered
position in which it covers the forward portion of the bin opening
and a raised position in which it extends upwardly from the side
walls to provide access to the forward portion of the bin opening,
said sliding and pivotal movements of the forward portion being
independent of the rear portion.
13. A food bin assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein the bin
and lid members are configured such that the front lid member is
positioned under the rear lid member when the front lid member is
in its rearward position.
14. A food bin assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein at least
one of the first and second side walls of the bin are configured
for releasably locking the lid in its raised position.
15. A food bin assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein the front
lid member is inclined when in its forward position.
16. A food bin assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein the first
and second side walls have upper edge margins which are generally
parallel to one another and wherein the front lid member has a rim
extending generally downwardly when the front lid member is in its
forward position, the rim of the front lid member having rim side
portions positioned adjacent to and laterally outward of the upper
edge margins of the first and second side walls when the front lid
member is in its forward position.
17. A food bin assembly as set forth in claim 16 wherein the upper
edge margins of the first and second side walls are configured for
limiting lateral movement of the front lid member and for guiding
the front lid member between its forward and rearward
positions.
18. A food bin assembly as set forth in claim 16 wherein the rim
side portions have rear ends slidably engageable with the upper
edge margins of the first and second side walls of the bin as the
front lid member is moved between its forward and rearward
positions.
19. A food bin assembly as set forth in claim 16 wherein one of
said plurality of walls of the bin further includes a front wall,
the front wall having an upper edge margin extending laterally from
the upper edge margin of the first side wall to the upper edge
margin of the second side wall, and wherein the rim of the front
lid member further includes a rim front portion extending generally
between the rim side portions, said rim front portion being
positioned adjacent to and forward of the upper edge margin of the
front wall of the bin when the front lid member is in its forward
position.
20. A food bin assembly as set forth in claim 19 wherein the rim
front portion of the front lid member is configured for slidably
engaging the upper edge margins of the side walls of the bin as the
front lid member is moved between its forward and rearward
positions.
21. A food bin assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein the front
lid member's forward position is the same as its lowered position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to food bins, and more
particularly to food bins of the type having moveable lids.
Food bins are typically used in commercial, institutional and
industrial kitchens and bakeries for storing and handling a wide
variety of ingredients such as flour, sugar, fruits, vegetables,
etc. Conventional food bins usually have horizontal two-part lids
with one part slidably coupled or hinged to the other part. Access
to the contents of food bins with such horizontal lids is difficult
when the bin is located under a table. Also, the lids of such bins
tend to jam when telescoped one inside the other.
At least one bin has a forward slidable-pivotable lid member which
is slanted relative to a rearward stationary lid member. The
forward (moveable) lid member is slidably and pivotally connected
to the rearward stationary lid member. A difficulty associated with
this bin is that the moveable lid member must be pivoted to a
horizontal position before it can be slid rearwardly relative to
the stationary lid member. If the moveable lid member is not
properly aligned with the stationary lid member it may jam. Also,
because the moveable lid member is mounted to the stationary lid
member, the stationary lid member must be present for the moveable
lid member to operate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Among the several objects of the present invention may be noted the
provision of an improved food bin assembly; the provision of such a
food bin assembly having a moveable lid member and a stationary lid
member; the provision of such a food bin assembly in which the
moveable lid member is capable of pivoting and sliding independent
of the stationary lid member; the provision of such a food bin
assembly which is configured for providing easy and convenient
access to the contents thereof; the provision of such a food bin
assembly in which the moveable member does not need to be pivoted
to a horizontal position before it may be rearwardly slid; the
provision of such a food bin configured for rapid attachment and
removal of the lid members from the bin thereof to facilitate easy
cleaning of the bin assembly; and the provision of such a food bin
which is of a relatively simple construction.
In general, a food bin assembly of the present invention comprises
a bin, a rear lid member, and a front lid member. The bin has a
bottom and a plurality of walls extending up from the bottom. The
walls have upper ends defining a bin opening. One of the walls is a
first side wall and another of the walls is a second side wall
opposite the first side wall. The rear lid member is configured for
covering a rear portion of the bin opening. The front lid member is
configured for covering a forward portion of the bin opening. The
front lid member is slidably connected to the first and second side
walls of the bin for longitudinal sliding movement of the front lid
member relative to the bin between a forward position in which the
front lid member is positioned over the forward portion of the bin
opening and a rearward position in which the front lid member is
positioned over the rear portion of the bin opening. The front lid
member is also pivotally connected to the first and second side
walls of the bin for pivotal movement of the front lid member
between a lowered position in which it covers the forward portion
of the bin opening and a raised position in which it extends
upwardly from the side walls to provide access to the forward
portion of the bin opening.
Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part
pointed out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a food bin assembly of the present
invention having a bin, a rear lid member and a forward lid
member;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the food bin assembly of FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the food bin assembly of FIG. 1
showing the front and rear lid members covering the top of the
bin;
FIG. 4 is a fragmented cross-sectional view taken along the plane
of line 4--4 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a fragmented side elevational view of the food bin
assembly of FIG. 1 showing the front lid member in solid lines
pivoted to a raised position, and showing the front lid member in
phantom lines slid to a rearward position;
FIG. 6 is a fragmented cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3
except showing the front lid member slid to an intermediate
position between forward and rearward positions;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmented cross-sectional view taken along
the plane of line 7--7 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmented cross-sectional view taken along
the plane of line 8--8 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmented cross-sectional view taken along
the plane of line 9--9 of FIG. 3 showing an inside view of the
pivot connection of the front lid member and bin;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmented side elevational view similar to
FIG. 9 except showing the front lid member in its raised
position;
FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmented side elevational view of the food
bin assembly of FIGS. 1-10 with portions broken away to show
details of the pivot connection of the front lid member to the bin;
and
FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmented side elevational view similar to
FIG. 11 except showing the front lid member in its raised
position.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts
throughout the several views of the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1-4, a
food bin assembly of the present invention is indicated in its
entirety by the reference numeral 20. The food bin assembly 20
comprises a bin, generally indicated at 22, a rear lid member,
generally indicated at 24, and front lid member, generally
indicated at 26. Preferably, the bin 22 and lid members 24, 26 are
each single unitary pieces which are injection molded from suitable
polymeric materials. Also preferably, the lid members 24, 26 are
transparent.
The bin has a bottom 28 (FIG. 2) and four walls, i.e., a front wall
30, a rear wall 32, a first (left) side wall 34, and a second
(right) side wall 36, extending up from the bottom. The right side
wall 36 is opposite the left side wall 34, and the rear wall 32 is
opposite the front wall 30. The upper ends of the walls define a
bin opening, generally indicated at 40, (FIG. 5) providing access
to the interior of the bin 22. As discussed in greater detail
below, the rear lid member 24 is configured for covering a rear
portion (e.g., rear half) of the bin opening 40, and the front lid
member 26 is configured for covering a forward portion (e.g.,
forward half) of the bin opening.
The front lid member 26 is slidably connected to the left and right
side walls 34, 36 of the bin 22 for longitudinal sliding movement
of the front lid member 26 relative to the bin between forward and
rearward positions. In its forward position (shown in FIGS. 1-4),
the front lid member 26 is positioned over the forward portion of
the bin opening 40. In its rearward position (shown in phantom in
FIG. 5), the front lid member 26 is positioned over the rear
portion of the bin opening 40. The front lid member 26 is also
pivotally connected to the side walls 34, 36 of the bin 22 for
pivotal movement of the front lid member between lowered and raised
positions. In its lowered position (shown in FIGS. 1-4), the front
lid member 26 covers the forward portion of the bin opening 40. In
its raised position (shown in solid in FIG. 5), the front lid
member 26 extends upwardly from the side walls 34, 36 to provide
access to the forward portion of the bin opening 40.
The bin 22 further includes a circumferential flange 42 extending
around the perimeter thereof. The flange 42 is preferably parallel
to and spaced a short distance (e.g., 3/4") below the upper edges
of the walls 30, 32, 34, 36 of the bin 22. Also preferably, the
flange 42 is generally L-shaped in transverse cross-section and
includes a generally horizontal leg 44 extending outward (i.e.,
away) from the outer surfaces of the walls 30, 32, 34, 36, and a
generally vertical leg 46 depending from the horizontal leg. The
portions of the walls 30, 32, 34, 36 extending above the horizontal
leg 44 of the flange constitute upper edge margins of the walls.
The upper edge margins of the front and rear walls 30, 32 are
indicated at 50 and 52, respectively. The upper edge margins of the
left and right side walls 34, 36 are indicated at 54 and 56,
respectively, and are generally parallel to one another.
The rear lid member 24 has a downwardly extending rim 60 along its
sides and back. The lower edge of the rim 60 engages and is
supported by the circumferential flange 42 of the bin 22 when the
rear lid member 24 is positioned on the bin. The rear lid member 24
further includes a rear connecting tab 62 at a back portion of the
rim 60 and two side connecting tabs 64 at side portions of the rim.
As shown in FIG. 4, the rear connecting tab 62 extends into a rear
slot 66 of the circumferential flange 42 and engages the flange to
hold the rear lid member 24 against the flange. As shown in FIG. 7,
the side connecting tabs 64 extend into side slots 68 in the
circumferential flange 45 and engage the flange to further hold the
rear lid member 24 against the flange. Preferably, the rear and
side tabs 62, 64 have outwardly protruding lips engageable with an
underside of the circumferential flange 42 to releasably lock the
rear lid member 24 against the bin 22. The rear lid member 24 is
shaped and configured so that the side portions of the rear-lid rim
60 are spaced laterally outwardly from the upper edge margins 54,
56 of the left and right side walls 34, 36 (FIGS. 7 and 8) when the
rear lid member is connected to the circumferential flange 42. Also
preferably, the rear-lid rim 60 is taller than the upper edge
margins 52, 54, 56 of the rear and side walls 32, 34, 36 (FIGS. 7
and 8) to space the top of rear lid member 42 above the upper edges
of bin side walls. Because the rear lid member 24 is spaced
laterally from and above the upper edge margins 54, 56, the front
lid member 26 slides under the rear lid member when the front lid
member is moved between its front and rear positions.
The front lid member 26 has a downwardly extending rim 70 along its
sides and front. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower edge of the
rim 70 engages and is supported by the circumferential flange 42 of
the bin 22 when the front lid member 26 is its forward (or lowered)
position. Preferably, the front-lid rim 70 has rim side portions 72
and a rim front portion 76. The rim side portions 72 are positioned
adjacent to and laterally outward of the upper edge margins 54, 56
of the side walls 34, 36 of the bin 22. Preferably, the rim front
portion 76 is positioned adjacent to and forward of the upper edge
margin 50 of the front wall 30 when the front lid member is in its
forward (lowered position). Two opposing guide tabs 78 (FIGS. 7-9)
project laterally inwardly from rear ends 80 of the rim side
portions 72. The guide tabs 78 are configured for sliding
engagement (i.e., sliding contact) with the upper edge margins 54,
56 of the side walls 34, 36 of the bin 22 as the front lid member
26 is moved between its forward and rearward positions. The guide
tabs 78 and the upper edge margins 54, 56 limit lateral movement of
the front lid member 26 relative to the bin 22. Moreover, when the
front lid member 26 is in its forward position, the guide tabs 78
abut ears 82 extending laterally outwardly from the upper edge
margins 54, 56 of the bin side walls. The ears 82 act as stops to
prevent forward movement of the front lid member 26 beyond its
forward position. Preferably, the rim front portion 76 of the front
lid member 26 is configured for slidably engaging the upper edge
margins 54, 56 of the bin side walls 34, 36 as the front lid member
is moved between its forward and rearward positions. More
particularly, and as shown in FIG. 6, the rim front portion 76 is
configured for slidably engaging the upper edges of the edge
margins 54, 56 as the front lid member 26 is moved between its
forward and rearward positions.
Referring now to FIGS. 9-12, the bin 22 and front lid member 26 are
configured for pivoting movement of the front lid member relative
to the bin. The upper edge margins 54, 56 of the bin side walls
further include cut-outs (i.e., recesses) 84 adjacent to and
rearward of the outwardly extending ears 82. The cut-outs 84 define
curved Guiding surfaces 86 engageable with a rearwardly facing edge
88 (FIGS. 9 and 10) of the front lid member 26. The curved guiding
surfaces 86 of the bin 22 and the rearwardly facing edge 88 of the
front lid member 26 cooperate to facilitate pivotal movement of the
front lid member relative to the bin between its raised and lowered
positions. The guide tabs 78 of the front lid member 26 engage the
ears 82 of the bin 22 when the front lid member is in its raised
position to hold (lock) the front lid member in its raised
position. The cut-outs 84 further define locking notches 90 into
which the rearwardly facing edge 88 of the front lid member 26 sits
when the front lid member is in its raised position to further lock
the lid member in its raised position.
Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 6, the upper edges of the bin side
walls 34, 36 preferably have an arcuate shape, and the lid members
24, 26 are each arcuately shaped in longitudinal cross-section.
Because of the shapes of the pieces of the food bin assembly 20,
water easily flows off of the lid members 24, 26 without leaking
into the bin 22. Also because of the shapes of these pieces, the
front lid member 26 does not need to be raised to a substantially
horizontal position before it can be slid rearwardly; to enable the
front lid member 26 to be slid rearwardly, it needs only to be
raised an amount sufficient to allow the rim front portion 76 to
clear the upper edge margin 50 of the bin front wall 30.
In operation, the front lid member 26 is placed on the bin 22 to
cover the front portion of the bin opening 40 and the rear lid
member 24 is placed on the bin 22 to cover the rear portion of the
bin opening. Movement of the front lid member 26 between its
forward and rearward positions and between its lowered and raised
positions is independent of the rear lid member 24. In other words,
the front lid member 26 may be slid on the bin 22 between its
forward and rearward positions regardless of whether the rear lid
member 24 is present. Also, the front lid member 26 may be pivoted
on the bin 22 between its raised and lowered positions regardless
of whether the rear lid member 24 is present. Moreover, because of
the shape and configuration of the lid members 24, 26, any contact
therebetween during movement of the front lid member between its
rearward and forward positions or between its raised and lowered
positions is incidental.
Moreover, although the apparatus 20 is referred to as a food bin
assembly, it is to be understood that such a reference is not
intended to limit its application. In other words, the food bin
assembly 20 may instead be used as a bin for non-food items without
departing from the scope of this invention.
In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of
the invention are achieved and other advantageous results
attained.
As various changes could be made in the above constructions without
departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all
matter contained in the above description or shown in the
accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not
in a limiting sense. It is intended that the invention shall be
limited solely by the scope of the claims.
* * * * *